Published: Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 11:37 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 11:37 p.m.

LAKELAND | Former state Sen. Nan Rich said she is not worried about a challenge in the Democratic primary from former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, who recently switched to the Democratic Party.

"He will have to prove his credentials as a Democrat, as will I. And my sense is that I will have no trouble at all in that task," Rich, a Broward County Democrat and 12-year veteran of the Florida Legis­lature, said in a Saturday evening interview with The Ledger.

Rich was the keynote speaker at the Hilton Garden Inn for the Polk County Democrats' Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President Obama Dinner, which is known in some Democratic Party areas as the Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner.

It was her first speech since an emergency appendectomy less than two weeks ago.

An experienced legislator known for her ability to reach across the aisle to Republicans, Rich worked with former Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, to stop Sun Rail the first time and worked on children's issues with then-Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Valrico.

She is known for a passionate yet no-nonsense ap­proach.

Asked whether a South Florida liberal could win statewide, she pointed to the last two presidential election results.

"A black man and Democrat have won the state twice," she said. "A South Florida progressive can indeed win the governor's race statewide. I am blanketing the state with visits to all parts," she said, "and I am looking at pulling together many of those on issues I have networked on.

"I was an advocate before I was a legislator. I have worked both inside and outside the Legislature on issues for seniors, the developmentally disabled, children's issues — things that have not been a priority of the current governor (Republican Rick Scott). Those issues and groups will come together in the race," she said.

The Saturday night fundraiser was a happy ocassion with local party leaders speaking of the gains Democrats made in the Florida House and Senate in last November's election despite the continued Republican control of both chambers of the Legislature. Many in attendance spoke of retaking the Legislature someday after losing both chambers to the GOP in 1996.

Among Democratic dignitaries also to speak to the dinner crowd was U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, R-Orlando, noted for his baiting of Republicans the way some Republican lawmakers and commentators do to Democrats. Grayson served in 2009-2011, was defeated in 2010 and was elected in the fall to a new congressional district that includes a portion of Polk County.

Among Grayson's current issues is attempting to stop the cutting of air traffic controllers at airports with contract FAA towers.

Polk County Democratic Exe­­cutive Com­mittee Chair Charlene Hypes of Lakeland said that while the local party has not yet returned candidates to office, it has come close and is on the verge.

"In January of 2012, we had a mere 3,500 mail ballot requests, but we began a strong grass-roots campaign and ended up with 32,000, about the same as Republicans. The state party has taken notice of us because of our close races last year," she said. Last year, party officials in Tallahassee would not send money to candidates in Polk.

Rich, 71, served in the Florida Senate from 2004 to 2012 before being term-limited. Between 2010 and 2012, she served as the Democratic leader in the Senate. Prior to the Senate, she served in the Florida House from 2000 to 2004.

She has been running for governor for almost a year, opening her campaign account on April 23, 2012. Among some Democrats who have already opened a campaign for governor, she is the only one with a lengthy political resume.

Missing from the list of active candidates so far is Crist, who has hinted he will run. Because of the uncertainty of who the other Democratic candidates might be, Rich said her campaign is gearing up for its first big fundraising push.

Rich and her husband, David, live in Weston and are the parents of four and grandparents of three children.

<p>LAKELAND | Former state Sen. Nan Rich said she is not worried about a challenge in the Democratic primary from former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, who recently switched to the Democratic Party.</p><p>"He will have to prove his credentials as a Democrat, as will I. And my sense is that I will have no trouble at all in that task," Rich, a Broward County Democrat and 12-year veteran of the Florida Legis­lature, said in a Saturday evening interview with The Ledger. </p><p>Rich was the keynote speaker at the Hilton Garden Inn for the Polk County Democrats' Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President Obama Dinner, which is known in some Democratic Party areas as the Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner.</p><p>It was her first speech since an emergency appendectomy less than two weeks ago.</p><p>An experienced legislator known for her ability to reach across the aisle to Republicans, Rich worked with former Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, to stop Sun Rail the first time and worked on children's issues with then-Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Valrico.</p><p>She is known for a passionate yet no-nonsense ap­proach. </p><p>Asked whether a South Florida liberal could win statewide, she pointed to the last two presidential election results.</p><p>"A black man and Democrat have won the state twice," she said. "A South Florida progressive can indeed win the governor's race statewide. I am blanketing the state with visits to all parts," she said, "and I am looking at pulling together many of those on issues I have networked on.</p><p>"I was an advocate before I was a legislator. I have worked both inside and outside the Legislature on issues for seniors, the developmentally disabled, children's issues — things that have not been a priority of the current governor (Republican Rick Scott). Those issues and groups will come together in the race," she said.</p><p>The Saturday night fundraiser was a happy ocassion with local party leaders speaking of the gains Democrats made in the Florida House and Senate in last November's election despite the continued Republican control of both chambers of the Legislature. Many in attendance spoke of retaking the Legislature someday after losing both chambers to the GOP in 1996. </p><p>Among Democratic dignitaries also to speak to the dinner crowd was U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, R-Orlando, noted for his baiting of Republicans the way some Republican lawmakers and commentators do to Democrats. Grayson served in 2009-2011, was defeated in 2010 and was elected in the fall to a new congressional district that includes a portion of Polk County.</p><p>Among Grayson's current issues is attempting to stop the cutting of air traffic controllers at airports with contract FAA towers.</p><p>Polk County Democratic Exe­­cutive Com­mittee Chair Charlene Hypes of Lakeland said that while the local party has not yet returned candidates to office, it has come close and is on the verge.</p><p>"In January of 2012, we had a mere 3,500 mail ballot requests, but we began a strong grass-roots campaign and ended up with 32,000, about the same as Republicans. The state party has taken notice of us because of our close races last year," she said. Last year, party officials in Tallahassee would not send money to candidates in Polk.</p><p>Rich, 71, served in the Florida Senate from 2004 to 2012 before being term-limited. Between 2010 and 2012, she served as the Democratic leader in the Senate. Prior to the Senate, she served in the Florida House from 2000 to 2004.</p><p>She has been running for governor for almost a year, opening her campaign account on April 23, 2012. Among some Democrats who have already opened a campaign for governor, she is the only one with a lengthy political resume. </p><p>Missing from the list of active candidates so far is Crist, who has hinted he will run. Because of the uncertainty of who the other Democratic candidates might be, Rich said her campaign is gearing up for its first big fundraising push.</p><p>Rich and her husband, David, live in Weston and are the parents of four and grandparents of three children.</p>